Physical attractiveness and partnership success

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Ulrich Rosar
• Subject Area: Empirical Social Research
• Term: from 2013 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 240753317

A happy partnership is one of the main determinants of subjective well-being as well as mental and physical health. Based on this fact numerous studies have aimed to identify the factors which benefit or endanger happiness in a relationship. Previous research has mainly focussed on long-term relationships so far. The early stage subsequent to the formation of a partnership in which the basis for a successful development is established has mostly been neglected.The planned research project therefore aims to pay attention to this early stage of a romantic relationship. The physical attractiveness of the partner is considered as a major determinant of the partners satisfaction with the relationship and thereby of the stability as well as the long-term development of the young partnership. Although the important role of attractiveness for various aspects of life and particularly for mate choice is well documented, hardly any empirical research has been conducted on its influence in the early stage of relationships. The few existing studies mostly do not meet the general scientific standards or provide generalisable information.Therefore, the main aim of the research project is to obtain valid empirical results about the role of the partners physical attractiveness in the early stage of romantic relationships for the first time. In order to meet the processual and dyadic character of partnerships, panel-analysis is chosen, where both members of the dyad are observed for an appropriate period. The study therefore makes a significant contribution to the empirically-grounded theory formation and is at the same time of great interest to both scientists in this research field as well as the non-scientific public.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants